Nearly 150 of the region’s best young hockey players will dust off their hockey sticks in Orange this weekend for the Under 13 Western Conference Indoor Carnival. Sir Neville Howse Stadium will transform into an indoor hockey centre for the second year in a row as four Orange teams do battle with two Parkes sides and a Bathurst outfit. The indoor carnival is a chance for teams to war up ahead of the under-13 State Championships, will be held in Orange from November 2-5. Organiser of the western conference carnival Kate Pulbrook said the carnival was well received last year. “It’s a good chance to get used to the size and speed of the courts and prepare for the state champs,” she said. Pulbrook said it was a chance for sides to come together – possibly for the first time – and work through tactics and learn how teammates play. While the carnival will be scored, there’s no overall winner, emphasising the warm-up nature of the event, while boys’ and girls’ teams will also clash head-to-head on the court. Pulbrook also said it would give organisers and umpires the chance to brush up ahead of the indoor hockey season. Games kick off from 10am on Saturday at Sir Neville Howse Stadium. Receive our free newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below